So, apparently people eat placentas. Sometimes mamas eat them, allegedly to help with postpartum depression in some crazy new-agey/middle-agey lack-of-any-sense type of frenzy. Sometimes freakishly strict vegetarians eat them, because it is the only meat that can be eaten that does not require killing a living being. Whatever the reason, it's totally rude.

Placenta preparation notes from a well-meaning website:
"Cut off the cord and membranes. Steam the placenta, adding lemon grass, pepper and ginger to the steaming water. The placenta is "done" when no blood comes out when you pierce it with a fork."